Workers on modest wages must share the tax burden to fund Scotland’s public services, says Richard Leonard.
The Scottish Labour leadership candidate endorsed the party’s 2016 manifesto plans to increase income tax for basic ratepayers, which would see a cut in the take-home pay of those earning about £21,000.
Mr Leonard, who was giving a speech in Edinburgh on Tuesday, said: “We need to have a once in a generation national debate about the levels and type of taxation, and how we use the redistributive powers we now possess, to build by consent the kind of society and future we want.”
He added he preferred Scottish Labour’s tax policy over the one put forward by the UK party this year, which spared those earning less than £80,000 from any hikes.
“The Scottish Labour proposal was based on the fiscal realities we face in Scotland, which is that there aren’t so many high-wealth individuals in Scotland,” he told supporters.
Mr Leonard, a left-winger and former trade union organiser who is up against the centrist Anas Sarwar in the leadership race, also bemoaned the lowering of corporation tax by the UK Government.
Mr Sarwar is due to give a speech on Wednesday ahead of the release of ballot papers. The result of the contest will be announced on November 18.
